Black History Month: Celebrating Multiculturalism

  • Published
  • By Karen Abeyasekere
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  February is Black History Month, and this year's theme is "Celebrating Multiculturalism." 

"Black History Month began in 1926," said Master Sgt. Russell Anderson, 100th Operations Support Squadron and Black History Month co-chair. "We owe the celebration of Black History Month, and more importantly, the study of black history, to Dr. Carter G. Woodson. Born to parents who were former slaves, he spent his childhood working in the Kentucky coal mines and enrolled in high school at 20. He graduated within two years and later went on to earn a Ph.D. from Harvard."

To celebrate Black History Month, the following events are taking place this week:

Wednesday: Black History Month at the RAF Mildenhall Galaxy Club from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tickets cost $10.25 for club members and $12.25 for non club-members. The meal is a roast buffet and is a choice of grilled chicken with Marsela sauce or roast beef with gravy-whipped potatoes, and gravy, corn with pimentos, and cheesecake. Guest speaker will be Lt. Gen. (Ret.) John D. Hopper Jr. For tickets, contact Master Sgt. Anthony Sallis at 238-2640, Master Sgt. Russell Anderson at 238-7594 or Master Sgt. Marion Shell at 238-7203. POC for this event is Tech. Sgt. Danté Reese at 238-7590.

Saturday: Black and White Jazz Night at RAF Lakenheath Eagles' Landing at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $15. There will also be an after-show party, featuring a DJ and musicians playing Caribbean and rhythm and blues music. In addition, romantic package giveaways will be made during the evening. POCs for this event are Lorena Blount, 238-4221; Pam Anderson, 238-3717 and Daisy Jones at 226-6180.

"During February, America celebrates multiculturalism, and each of us is unique. It's that uniqueness that truly makes America great," Sergeant Anderson said.

For more information on these and other events, call any of the POCs above.